Hi Drew, I am sorry for your loss. I have found that grief is very physical. The pain is not "just" emotional. Anxiety brings all sorts of physical symptoms. But, for me, with a little time things have begun to change. I am coming up on 7 months, and things are different now. The phyiscal pain is getting better. Give it time, talk here, and mybe find a support group where you live.

Good wishes to you, I hope you find some peace. Paula

I agree with Paula. There is definitely physical pain. With time, it should get less aggravating. Keep coming here and tell us how you are doing. We are here to support you. We know the burden you carry and we sympathize with that pain. It will get better. Best wishes!

Yes....and for the entire first month, nausea. Nausea returns now and then.

I have Atrial Fibulation, so stress brings on the pain....mine is both

I remember I described the pain like someone cut open your chest, tore out your heart, smashed it on the ground, picked it up, put it back in your chest, and then said: carry on like nothing ever happened!

Drew - yeah, I had this also. To the point where I called my doc and asked, am I having a heart attack or what?? I wasn't. It was grief and stress. Please keep talking here! Marsha

Anxiety - the ole anvil on the chest ~
Slow down, do some breathing exercises or put your head between your knees ~
I had that up to 10Xs or more in a day ~
It sucks ~

I read a medical report once that said some people actually experience a physical pain after losing a spouse. I would get it checked out by a doctor. I made my first appointment a day after losing my husband, knowing what the stress of this whole thing can do to a person.

Grief can sure take its toll on us. My problem is I have IBS now...Dr.. says its from stress...

I agree about going to the Dr. I went the week after my husband passed. Clean bill of health. I was shocked bc I had so many aches and pains. I was sure I had something wrong.

It is definitely physical....the sheer act of crying and sobbing is painful..... I try not to let the "wave" engulf me when it comes and get angry because i can 't fight it so I try to move and walk when it comes on instead of just being idle and it seems to help a bit, but there are strange aches and pains sometimes, and feeling cold......
6 months now, and the forward-backward continues, with all the stress due to all the new added responsabilities, so many........

Hope you feel better soon , Drew, and all who read this, the bottom of our world has fallen off when we lost our dear loved ones..........

Unfortunately I too have had the chest pains:( It is a weight and stabbing pain. Very unsettling but my doctor assures me that it is a result of stress and grief.
Hang in there:)

I am so sorry grief brought physical pain as well. After a death, some people lose appetite or have trouble sleeping. I had both, insomnia and lost over 20 pounds because my digestion was shut down. My other symptoms included abdominal and chest pain, headache. I also remember being fatigued, and muscle tension.

Bereavement has so many effects on health. Persistently elevated levels of stress hormones can induce abnormal heart rhythms.
I dealt with that the best way I know, I went outside, and walked till the time I could not move my feet. I also went to the gym early in the morning, because I could not sleep, and laying in bed trying to sleep was exhausting, so I just got in my car and drove to the gym where light is always bright, and people although they did not pay attention to me, but at least i did not feel alone. I know it is almost impossible to imaging a bereaved person to exercise, but it was the only way I knew how to cope with my mental, emotional and physical anguish. I also want to reassure you that you will start healing slowly but surely. Stay in touch, read posts, share your thoughts and emotions. Write journal, talk to a trusted friend.
Take short walks maybe oxygen will make it better. Hope you will feel better soon.
Hug

Yes. My chest hurts, my heartbeat races and it feels like a heart attack.